Detachable adornment for footwear

ABSTRACT

The utility model relates to the elements for footwear decoration. A detachable shoe adornment comprises a decorative element ( 1 ) and an attachment element in the form of at least one flexible tongue ( 2 ) which is either an immediate extension of the decorative element or is connected with the decorative element at one end. Flexible tongue or tongues are affixed securely onto the inner surface of the shoe in a manner that the tongue is hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside. Flexible tongues are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone. A securing element in the form of a layer of adhesive material, a magnet, or a hook is arranged at the surface of the tongue directly in contact with the shoe surface. The tongue can also be in the form of a loop made of a thin elastic ribbon, which is put around the metatarsophalangeal area or the toes of the user&#39;s foot before the shoes are put on.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present utility model relates to the field of human needs, particularly, to articles of decorative adornment for shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist numerous detachable shoe adornments in the prior art constructed as decorative elements furnished with clips made of metal or other material [1]. Generally, these adornments are designed to be attached to the edge of the shoe. Shoe adornments constructed in such a manner have numerous disadvantages, particularly: metallic or non-metallic clips used to affix the said adornments onto the shoe not only fail to protect the user's feet but cause significant discomfort. Moreover, such clips are not secure, these may damage shoes and have limited life if used repeatedly.

Said ornaments often chafe the user's feet, especially when attached to the heel area or along the frontline. This issue can be somewhat mitigated by wearing protective local covers or hosiery.

However, these options are often not satisfactory or not preferable, because 1) local covers (bandages) are unattractive and cover only a small portion of the troubled area, 2) women do not want to wear socks, hosiery or stockings in hot weather or with pants, 3) light socks, hosiery or stockings do not provide sufficient protection and are easily damaged, etc.

Another known detachable shoe adornment is constructed in the form of a flexible band furnished with attachment members and a multiplicity of teeth on the outer surface designed to hold decorative elements [2].

This solution has several disadvantages. Particularly, attachment members spaced along the edge of the band cause unevenness, when bent and pressed along the edge of the shoe; the construction is complex and costly; attachment mechanism is laborious; and, if used repeatedly, the attachment members may break.

Another known detachable shoe adornment [3] comprises a decorative element with a plurality of fasteners operably affixed to the decorative element and adapted to removable affix the decorative element directly to the edges of the shoe. The decorative element may comprise a decorative panel with multiple fasteners on the back.

Said detachable adornment also has several disadvantages as the construction of attachment members is complex and costly in terms of materials consumed. Additionally, multiple fasteners make the edges of the shoe uneven and may cause discomfort to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present utility model provides a cost-effective and simple in construction and application solution for a detachable shoe adornment, that can be used with virtually any shoes and for an unlimited number of times and such that, in some cases, can protect certain areas of user's foot.

In general embodiment, the detachable shoe adornment comprises a decorative element and an attachment element in the form of a flexible tongue or multiple tongues, that are either the immediate extension of the decorative element or are attached thereto, wherein said tongue or tongues are inserted into the shoe, then attached securely onto the inner surface of the shoe by means of a securing element located at the surface of the tongue in contact with the shoe surface, so that the tongue or tongues remain hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside.

In the general embodiment, flexible tongues are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone.

In accordance with one embodiment, the securing element on the tongue is a layer of an adhesive material.

I accordance with another embodiment, the securing element on the tongue is a fine plate or coating of magnet or magnetic metal.

For another embodiment, the securing element is a hook.

For another embodiment, the tongue is in the form of a loop.

Presented detachable shoe adornment can alter and enhance the appearance of the user's shoes and overall attire, whereas buying shoes with permanent distinguishing ornamentation might not be prudent since these can be worn only with a matching outfit and/or for special occasions.

Construction and attachment method of the described detachable shoe adornment allows the manufacturing of detachable shoe adornments that can be easily attached to any shoe to give it a novel and fashionable appearance without permanently altering or damaging the initial appearance of the shoe.

Additionally, the described detachable shoe adornment construction and attachment method thereof serves as an alternative protective layer when attached to the problematic front and back areas of the shoe, when rough edges of the shoe rub against the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below figures illustrate various embodiments of the present utility model.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue).

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue with a securing element in the form of an oval layer of adhesive material).

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the back of an alternative embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue).

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue up).

FIG. 5 is a top view of a shoe with a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue) before attachment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a shoe with a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue) after attachment.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are front and side views of a proposed element intended for placing on the inner upper surface of the shoe in case the preferred embodiment of the securing element on the tongue of the detachable shoe adornment is in the form of a hook.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue with a securing element in the form of a G-hook affixed thereon).

FIG. 10 is a top view of a shoe with an indication of the location where, on the inner surface of the shoe, the element illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 shall be affixed according to a preferred embodiment of the detachable shoe adornment with a securing element on the tongue in the form of a hook.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a shoe with a detachable shoe adornment (with one flexible tongue with a securing element in the form of a hook) after attachment.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are schematic illustrations of two other embodiments of a detachable shoe adornment with tongues in the form of loops.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are top views of a foot with detachable shoe adornments, such as illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is the top view of a foot in a shoe with detachable shoe adornment with tongue executed in the form of a loop.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are, respectively, schematic illustrations of the front and the back of another embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment, where the securing element on the tongue is in the form of a fine layer of magnetic metal and a magnet attached at the back of the decorative element.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are the top views of a shoe with detachable shoe adornments illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 before and after attachment, respectively.

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are, respectively, schematic illustrations of the front and the back of other alternative embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment with two flexible tongues.

FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are the top views of a shoe with detachable shoe adornments illustrated in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 before and after attachment, respectively.

FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment with a tongue in the form of a strip and a securing element in the form of multiple rounded layers of adhesive material.

FIG. 26 is a schematic illustration of the other embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment with a tongue executed in the form of a strip and a securing element in the form of an elongated layer of adhesive material.

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of the back of the detachable shoe adornment with a tongue in the form of a strip.

FIG. 28 is a top view of a shoe with a detachable shoe adornment with a tongue in the form of a strip.

FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 are, respectively, schematic illustrations of the front and the back of another embodiment of a detachable shoe adornment with a flexible tongue and a securing element in the form of an adhesive material.

FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are schematic illustrations of the front and the back of a shoe with a detachable shoe adornment with a flexible tongue such as illustrated in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 attached at the heel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detachable shoe adornment in accordance with the present utility model comprises a decorative element (1) and an attachment element in the form of a flexible tongue or multiple tongues (2) that are either the immediate extension of the decorative element or are attached thereto at the end. Said tongue or tongues (2) are inserted into the shoe (3), then affixed securely onto the inner surface of the upper of the shoe (in the front, side, or back) so that the tongue or tongues (2) are hidden inside the shoe (3) while the decorative element (1) remains visible. Flexible tongues (2) are made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone.

The size, shape, and number of tongue s (2) depend on the size, shape, and weight of the decorative element (1), as well as the size and shape of the shoe (3) and the intended emplacement of the adornment.

When the shoe is put on with the tongue or tongues (2) of the adornment inserted into the shoe (3) the adornment is fixed, however, to secure the adornment in place the tongue or tongues are further affixed onto the inner surface of the upper of the shoe (3) by means of securing element (4) affixed at the surface of the tongue or tongues (2). Said securing element can be in the form of a layer of double-sided adhesive material in rectangular, round or any other shape. Tongue or tongues can be secured inside the shoe using other attachment means. As one alternative, one can attach a loop (6) made of highly flexible material onto the inner surface of the upper of the shoe (5) to be coupled with a corresponding hook (7) affixed on the tongue. As another alternative, the tongue (2) can be made in the form of a loop (8), which is secured around the user's foot. As another alternative, a magnet (9) is affixed at the back of the decorative element, while a fine layer of magnet or magnetic metal (10) is attached to the tongue (2) so that these two elements attract one another after the tongue is inserted into the shoe.

For one preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 1-4, the decorative element (1) is connected to a tongue (2) made of fabric. To attach the adornment to the shoe, a piece of double-sided adhesive tape (4) is affixed to the tongue (2) as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the decorative adornment with its tongue (2) up as in FIG. 4 is placed on the shoe (3) as illustrated in FIG. 5 as the tongue is inserted and completely hidden inside the shoe (3) and secured by adhering it on the inner surface of the upper of the shoe with the double-sided adhesive tape (4) on the tongue as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Detachable shoe adornment in FIG. 1 can be secured with other means. As one such alternative, an eye in the form of a loop (6) made of soft flexible material, similar in form to one illustrated in FIG. 7-8, is affixed on the inner surface of the shoe, where marked (5) in FIG. 10. A corresponding hook (7), similar to one illustrated in FIG. 9, is affixed on the tongue (2) of the detachable shoe adornment so that when the tongue is inserted into the shoe and hooked into the eye (6) inside, the tongue is hidden as illustrated in FIG. 11.

Following the general logic of attachment illustrated in FIG. 7-11, other known fasteners can be used instead of the hook and an eye presented here.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present utility model, the tongue (2) is executed in the form of a loop (8) made of a soft elastic ribbon. For one such embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12. the elastic loop (8) fitting the Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint area of the user's foot is placed around the foot as illustrated in FIG. 14, whereas in the case of a smaller loop illustrated in FIG. 13, the loop (8) is placed around one or multiple toes of the user's foot as illustrated in FIG. 15. As illustrated in FIG. 16, in both cases, the tongue (2) is then hidden inside as the shoe (3) is put on, while the decorative element (1) remains outside of the shoe.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present utility model, the detachable shoe adornment is equipped with magnetic securing elements. Particularly, according to one such embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, a magnet (9) is affixed at the back of the decorative element (1), while a small thin plate, sheet or dusting of magnetic metal (10) is placed on the tongue (2), or vice versa. The shoe adornment is then placed on the shoe (3) as in FIG. 19. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the tongue is folded in and slightly pressed against the inner surface of the upper of the shoe as the decorative element outside the shoe is slightly pressed against the upper of the shoe so that the magnet (9) on the back of the decorative element and the magnetic metal (10) on the tongue attract one another through the upper of the shoe thereby keeping the decorative element in place.

As described, depending on the size, shape, and weight of the decorative element (1), the decorative adornment may have one or multiple tongues (2).

For one such embodiment of the present utility model illustrated in FIG. 21-22, the decorative element (1) is attached with two flexible tongues (2). As in FIG. 22, pieces of double-sided adhesive tape (4) are affixed to the tongues (2). Thereafter, the decorative adornment with its tongues (2) up as illustrated in FIG. 4, is placed on the shoe (3) as illustrated in FIG. 23. Thereafter the tongues are inserted and completely hidden inside the shoe (3) and secured by adhering them to the inner surface of the upper of the shoe with the double-sided adhesive tapes (4) as illustrated in FIG. 24.

In addition to decorating the shoes, certain embodiments of a detachable shoe adornment provided herein may serve as a protective cover when attached to the problematic front and heel areas of the shoe.

One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 25-27, where the decorative element (1) in the form of a frill is connected to an elongated tongue in the form of a strip. In accordance with one alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, multiple pieces of double-sided adhesive tapes (4) are affixed on the tongue (2), whereas in accordance with another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 26 an elongated double-sided adhesive tape (11) is affixed on the tongue (2). Then, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the tongue (2) is attached to the inner surface of the upper of the shoe, along the topline. As a result, instead of rubbing against the possibly rough edges of the shoe, the user's foot is now in contact with the soft surface of the tongue of the detachable adornment illustrated in FIG. 27.

Another embodiment of the present utility model is illustrated in FIG. 29-30. Here again, the application of the detachable shoe adornment has a dual objective: to decorate shoes and to protect the user's feet from rubbing against the heel of the shoe. As illustrated in FIG. 29-30, decorative element (1) is connected to the flexible tongue (2). As in FIG. 29, pieces of double-sided adhesive tape (4) are affixed on the tongue (2), which is then affixed on the inner surface of the heel of the shoe, as illustrated in FIG. 31-32. To achieve greater protection when wearing shoes barefoot, the user may alternatively choose to attach the tongue of the detachable shoe adornment directly onto the heel of the foot, in the area where the heel of the shoe rubs against the foot.

REFERENCES

-   1. http://www.pinterest.com/explore/shoe-clip/ -   2. U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,329 -   3. US patent US20130025164 (closest substitute) 

1. A detachable shoe adornment comprising a decorative element and an attachment element in the form of at least one flexible tongue which is either an immediate extension of the decorative element or is connected with the decorative element, and which is to be inserted into the shoe, then affixed securely onto the inner surface of the shoe by means of a securing element at the surface of the tongue in contact with the surface of the shoe, in a manner that the tongue is hidden inside the shoe while the decorative element remains outside.
 2. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the flexible tongue is made of thin fabric, natural or artificial leather or silicone.
 3. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the securing element on the tongue is in the form of a layer of adhesive material.
 4. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the securing element on the tongue is in the form of a fine plate or coating of magnet or magnetic metal.
 5. A detachable shoe adornment of claim 1, wherein the securing element on the tongue is a hook.
 6. (canceled) 